The Nationalist Party has formally requested that an urgent meeting of the Parliamentary Environment Committee be convened to discuss the changes to the Local Plans after the Cabinet of Ministers decided that the Local Plan for the St George's Bay area in St Julian's should be altered.

In a letter sent to the Chairperson of the Permanent Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Development Planning Deo Debattista, Shadow Ministers for Planning and Lands Stanley Zammit and Shadow Minister for the Environment Rebekah Borg - who are the two Nationalist Opposition members on this Parliamentary Committee - expressed the PN's view that any proposed changes to the Local Plans must genuinely safeguard the environment and the quality of life of residents.

In their letter, they insisted that to ensure accountability and transparency, the Minister responsible for Planning should be asked to appear before the Committee to give a detailed explanation of what was decided by the Cabinet.

The PN is suggesting that the Committee convene on Thursday 17th or Friday 18th October.

The PN said that it remains committed to ensuring that planning processes are transparent and fair, while safeguarding the interests of the environment and the general public.